A wood-panel Pietà of Mary and Jesus, owned by an upstate Tonawanda man who affectionately nicknamed it “The Mike” because it was believed to be painted by Michelangelo, has been authenticated as the lost work of the 16th century master by a group of Italian experts.

The priceless Pietà, which depicts the Virgin Mary and a dying Jesus, had been unceremoniously stored under the couch in the family home of retired Air Force Col. Martin Kober — after it was hit with an errant tennis ball three decades earlier until Kober’s dad urged him to trace the painting’s roots, long rumored in the family to be a Michelangelo.

After an intense two-year investigation by physicists, chemists, art historians and restorers in Rome, it was concluded the painting was likely the work of the legendary Sistine Chapel painter. Their findings are part of a book to be published by Gangemi Editore.

“Ultimately, this is the best thing in the world you can have,” Kober said. “Not only do we have documentation that talks about this painting being made, now we have the highest authority in the world on the care of restoration of Renaissance artwork taking this to the highest level they can.”

One of the most significant findings was being able to successfully date the spruce panel back to the year 1525. Another was a mixed tempera technique almost exclusively used by Michelangelo after it was replaced by more modern methods. Its anatomical components found on Kober’s panel was also consistent with the forms on the Sistine Chapel and several other Michelangelo masterpieces.

The painting was originally a gift to a Roman noblewoman, Vittoria Colonna. From there, sketchy documentary evidence traces it to England, Croatia and Germany before arriving in the United States in the early 19th Century and into the hands of the Kober family.

Kober said the painting is now in an undisclosed location and he hopes to exhibit it again.

What could it be worth? No one can say for sure, but certainly millions. If it is sold — Kober has no plans — one art expert lamented: “The painting is unfortunately out of Italy’s price range at the moment.”